Gadsden Correctional Facility

Gadsden Correctional Facility is a Florida state prison for women located in Quincy, Florida. This is a private facility that is managed by the Management and Training Corporation (MTC), and it can house up to 1,544 inmates at the minimum and medium custody levels.

This facility was the first, privately-owned prison in Florida to house state inmates under contract with the Department of Corrections. It was established in 1995 to house female offenders.

In the mid-2010s, C-Dorm had issues with its plumbing, which resulted in water rations for prisoners, plus there was no hot water. After three inspections, Florida Congressman David Richardson asked MTC to install a new water heater for the facility, which they did in February 2017, shortly before the fourth inspection.

The facility is invested in rehabilitation programs, and inmate Jennifer Bloye says that the staff at MTC is helping her improve her life.

“Gadsden is so different, and I think it’s because it’s run by MTC; because they treat us as an individual that just made a mistake. We’re not felons or convicts or inmates to them—we’re people,” says Bloye.  “And so, it’s really nice to be treated as a human that did make a mistake, and we’re just trying to overcome that obstacle so that we can go out into society. So MTC really provides all the opportunities for us to improve ourselves.”

Gadsden Correctional Facility is accredited by the American Correctional Association, achieving 100% compliance for both mandatory and non-mandatory standards in its most recent audit. Other accreditations and certifications include the Correctional Education Association and the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

The visiting hours at Gadsden Correctional Facility are on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST. Visitor registration begins at 8:15 a.m. and stops at 2:00 p.m. You will not be allowed to visit if you arrive after 2:00 pm. 

A valid photo ID is required to visit an inmate at Gadsden Correctional Facility. During visitor registration, officers will also ask you some questions, and you will also go through a number of searches.

Before you can visit an inmate at Gadsden Correctional Facility, you must get on their approved visiting list. The visitor applicationㅡwhich is available in both English and Spanishㅡmust be filled out completely and mailed to Gadsden. 

After your application is reviewed, the inmate will let you know if you have been approved or denied.  Everyone 12 or older must complete a visitor application, and all visitors 17 or younger must be accompanied by an approved adult on the inmate’s visiting list.

What you can bring to a visit

Visitors at Gadsden Correctional Facility are allowed to bring the following items into the visiting room:

• A maximum of $50.00 ($1, $5, $10, and $20 denominations only or silver change) for the vending machines. You are allowed to carry the money in a small wallet or pouch.
• One car key. No key chains or keyless entry devices.
• Medication. Bring only the necessary dosage in the original prescribed container (it must be clearly marked).

Do not attempt to bring a cell phone or any other electronic device to the visiting room.

If you are bringing an infant into the visit, you may have the following items:

• A maximum of five diapers
• Three, clear, plastic, baby bottles or two sipper cups for toddlers
• One, clear, plastic, baby pacifier
• Three, clear, plastic jars of baby food with the original seal intact 
• Baby wipes or towelettes (in a clear plastic bag) 
• An infant baby carrier (subject to search)
• One set of infant clothing
• One, non-quilted baby blanket to keep the infant warm

Dress Code

Visitors at Gadsden Correctional Facility are not allowed to wear the following clothing items:

• Halter tops or bra-less attire
• Underwear-type t-shirts or tank tops
• Fishnet clothing
• Skin tight clothing
• Shoes with removable parts
• See-through fabric without an undergarment
• Dresses, skirts, or shorts more than three inches above the knee
• Clothing with a threatening picture or language
• Camouflage
• Any clothing with metal

Video Visitation

If you are unable to travel to Gadsden Correctional Facility for a visit, they do have the option of video visitation. The service is available through JPay, and you must have a JPay account and use their calendar function for scheduling.

The fee for video visitation is $2.95 for 15 minutes, and they can last a maximum of 30 minutes.

There are restrictions on what you can mail to an inmate. You can’t mail packages in boxes or anything in card stock envelopes, like US Mail Priority or US Mail Express.

Everything must be sent in a non-padded paper envelope through the US Postal Service.

• Letters can be a maximum of 15 pages in length (You cannot glue, tape, or staple anything to the pages)
• You can send greeting cards, but nothing with electronic or non-paper parts
• Pictures are allowed, with the exception of nude photographs, Polaroids, or anything larger than 8”x10”
• You are allowed to send your inmate a maximum of ten, blank, greeting cards, blank pieces of paper, or envelopes
• You can also send a maximum of twenty, first class stamps

Non-paper items and stickers are prohibited in inmate mail.

You can send an inmate email through JPay. They do not have internet access, but inmates can receive an email printout during mail call. 

You can also buy your inmate a JP5 tablet. This device allows them to read and write emails, as well as purchase music, eBooks, games, and rent movies. 

How to Call an Inmate

You can’t call an inmate at Gadsden Correctional Facility, but they do have access to phones during approved hours. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Florida, please click here.

How to Send Money

JPay and Moneygram are your options for sending money to an inmate at Gadsden Correctional Facility. There is a fee for this service, and they vary based on which method you use and how much money you are sending.

JPay Options

• Online or Mobile App: To send an inmate money with your credit or debit card, visit JPay.com or download the JPay Mobile App that is available at the Apple App Store (for iPhones) and Google Play (for Android phones).
• By phone: Call (800) 574-5729 to talk with a live JPay call center agent and send money with a debit or credit card. 
• Mail a money orderㅡmade payable to JPayㅡwith a deposit slip to:

JPay
P.O. Box 260010
Hollywood, FL 33026

Money order deposit slip is available in English here.

Hoja de Depósito para Giros Bancarios disponible en Español aqui.

Moneygram

If you would like to use cash, visit a MoneyGram location in person and use receive code 5188. MoneyGram locations include all Walmarts and CVS Pharmacies. 

Programs For Inmates

Academic Programs

• Adult Basic Education/GED
• Literacy
• Tutoring

Vocational Programs

• Commercial Vehicle Driving
• Cosmetology
• Culinary Arts
• Substance Abuse Programs
• Residential Treatment Level 2
• Seeking Safety
• Understanding Addiction
• Women, Trauma, and Recovery

Chaplaincy Services

• Biblical Life Skills
• Family Empowerment
• Grief and Loss
• Inspired by Love
• Most Excellent Way
• Prison Fellowship
• Purpose Driven Life

Institutional Betterment Programs

• 10 Minute Cognitive Skills
• Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous
• Art Therapy
• Anger Management (SAMHSA)
• Compass 100
• Financial Literacy
• Financial Peace
• How to Be a Responsible Mother/Parenting
• Lamplighters
• Life Skills/Moving On
• Moses Project: Community Service
• Self Esteem
• Small Business Class
• Spanish I-III
• Teddy Bear Club
• Treasured Generations: Community Service
• Vet-Tech

Recreation/Canine Programs

• 5K Running Club
• Aerobics
• Biggest Loser
• Canine Companions for Independence (CCI)
• Easter Seals K-9’s 4 Kids
• Silver Sneakers
• Wellness
• Yoga
• Zumba

Pictures of Gadsden Correctional Facility

Careers at Gadsden Correctional Facility

If you are interested in a job at Gadsden Correctional Facility, click here. Positions are available in security, medical, maintenance, information technology, and accounting & finance.